Political Dig

President Donald Trump’s golf resorts in Scotland will no longer receive a controversial tax break after a rule change by the Scottish government, according to the Sunday Herald.

One of Trump’s two luxury golf resorts in the country, The Trump Turnberry, received more than £100,000 (about $133,690) in business rates relief this year.

However, as the Herald reports, the Scottish government announced that beginning next year, properties must have a “rateable value” of less than £1.5 million to be eligible for the tax break, according to the Sunday Herald. The Trump Turnberry’s rateable value is just over £1.6 million, or about $2.1 million.

Trump’s other golf property in Scotland does not qualify for the rebate, which is intended to help struggling businesses.

According to the report, this rule change has been seen as an intentional affront to Trump, with whom the Scottish National Party, which is currently in power, has a tense relationship.

Scottish politicians praised the move, saying that Scottish taxpayers should not have to support Trump’s businesses.

Patrick Harvie, a Member of Scottish Parliament from the Green Party, told the Herald that “it’s bad enough that [Trump] has a business presence in Scotland.”

“It’s galling to learn that the public purse is giving him a helping hand,” he said. “His brand is toxic and Scotland is better off without any association with him or his businesses. Tax relief should go to folk who really need it.”

And the head of the Scottish Open said earlier this year that although the Turnberry was being considered to host the open in future years, Trump’s divisive politics have forced them to reconsider.